Sleep Apnea and Depression - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Countrygirl1 · 11-01-2005, 07:37 PM

I went back about three pages to see if this topic had not been talked to death. I did not see that it had. Here goes.....

As far as I am concerned, sleep apnea can lead to depression. I mean, I have dealt with my own depression long enough to know the difference. When I am in a state of serious depression I do not want to do anything. However, now I want to do things. Yet, I am too tired. Even typing on this board I have to stop and rest. I love to cross stitch. I can not do that for long, before I have to stop. Today, at work I thought that I wasn't going to make it. Unfortunately, I can not take off sick anymore. Funny thing about it-I was on vacation last week. I spent the majority of the week at home resting.

All of these things can get depressing. I have a sleep study scheduled for December. Nevertheless, I feel that the MDs are trying to focus too much on my history of depression. They keep asking me if I think my meds are working, is my depression under control. I keep telling them yes and they keep asking. (gets kinda comical when you think about it)

Maybe, I am just rattling on, trying to find validation that my sleep problems are not all in my head-that there is something real that needs to be investigated. I know that sleep problems are a part of depression. Still, I do not think that waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air is a part of depression.

What is your opinion?

nancy30 · 11-03-2005, 10:51 AM

I'm no expert but I think if you wake up gasping for air in the middle of the night, you might have sleep apnea. they ahve some machine/device that you can wear to help with this.

I sometimes think I might have sleep apnea, possibly due to bad allergies. I do have dreams though which means I get some deep sleep.

Let us know how your sleep study turns out!

FoolsGold · 11-06-2005, 07:27 AM

Early morning awakening is indeed a sign of depression but it is a sign of many things. The gasping for air ofcourse would indicate an obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent episodic hypoxia is very disruptive of a variety of hormones including the 'master hormone' melatonin that keeps the other hormones in synch.

The sleep study seems a much better path to take than the anti-depressant meds they want to shovel down your gullet.

Let us know how things go.

Countrygirl1 · 11-07-2005, 05:33 AM

I am hoping that when the sleep apnea is better controlled, then maybe I can go to the MD and cut down on my AD meds. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could come off of them completely! But, I won't hold my breath (no pun inteneded)